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Bible Study Week 4

First Name

Last Name

Old Made New

SCRIPTURE

GENESIS 35:1–15

BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

This is not the passage God renames Jacob to Israel. That happened earlier when Jacob wrestled with God (Gen. 32:22–32). This is the passage where God reminds Jacob of his new name and the new identity that comes with that name. God instructs Jacob to return to Bethel, where he first encountered God in a supernatural way. God sent Jacob back to the beginning of their relationship, where Jacob vowed to make the Lord his God (Gen. 28:20–21). Since that encounter and vow with God, Jacob had wandered away. Now, God was calling him back.

Read Genesis 35:1 – 4 and discuss 1 – 2 of these questions:

• What is a moment in your life that you would consider a defining moment?

• How do you think Jacob’s encounters with God on the run from his brother helped shape him?

• Why did Jacob's family need to get rid of the foreign gods before going to Bethel to meet the Lord?

Read Genesis 35:5 – 8 and discuss 1 – 2 of these questions:

• Why is it easy to run back into your past rather than follow God into his future for you?

• What are some things from your old identity, before following Jesus, that you are tempted to return to?

• How have you seen God’s presence with you in good and bad times?

Read Genesis 35:9 - 14 and discuss 1 – 2 of these questions:

• Why does Jacob need reminding of his new name?

• How do we forget our God - given identity and return to the ways we used to live?

CONNECTION:

• Who do you have in your life to hold you accountable to walk with Jesus so you don’t drift back into your old way of life?

APPLY IT

We have become newbecause of Jesus but oftenreturn to the old. We forgetwho we are and what Godhas done in ourlives. Whatcan you do to remindyourself of your new identityin Jesus this week?

Be Specific:

What are you going to do?

When are you going to do it?

Is there someone who can keep you accountable?

PRAYER:

Take time to pray for each other’s applications in the upcoming weeks.

MEMORY VERSE:

Parent Disscussion Questions.:

*What are some things from your old identity, before following Jesus, that you are tempted to return to?

*How have you seen God’s presence with you in good and bad times?

*Who do you have in your life to hold you accountable to walk with Jesus so you don’t drift back into your old way of life?